Surgery is Scary

I typed my "book" before I read your last post. I SO know how you feel. I'm already old (53!) but think about when I'm REALLY old and wonder how I'll be able to poop then.....what happens if the laxatives quit completely? I don't want to be like your aunt.

My doctor said the success rate is high, and they wouldn't do the surgery if it wasn't. It's still so scary though. I had a double mastectomy when I was 43 and it didn't phase me much at all....this surgery scares me to death!

We can get through this together....I don't know what I'd do without this board!!!

Diagnosed with colonic inertia at 13 years old, had my colon removed. Diagnosed with rectal inertia at 16 years old, had my rectum removed and had a jpouch made.Diagnosed with small bowel inertia at 18 years old, and got an ileostomy wich I still have. I am 27 now. If you want to know more, just ask me!

first of all, what are you talking about, girl?? you're not old, Janie. 53 is not old.

i'm sorry, i didn't know you had a mastectomy.. if you don't mind me asking, but did you have that awful disease? what do you mean double? did you have both of them removed? with that being said, and you're saying you came out of it just fine, then i'd say you ARE a strong person, so i'll bet you can make it through this one too.

i'm so happy i've found this site too!! it's the greatest suppurt group i could EVER wish for. i actually feel as if you're all here with me, right by my side, and that feels real good!!!

I consider my ileostomy my tune up at age 52.... Feeling fine now UC is a disease that i'd not wish on my worst enemy and anytime I know of someone who is suffering from it.. I can sympathize and relate very well. I had every medicine medical science can throw at that fkin disease and nothing worked... Along with the dreaded "C-Diff" and the ilestomy was my last shot. I took it and today I'm back to where I was in my 40's I suppose.. and looking forwards to life every day....

... because I suspect I woudln't be here if I hadn't had the ileostomy.......

my sweetest Karen ... don't think even for a sec. we could ever forget you, no way it could ever happen . we care about you too much, and besides... you know i could never make it without you!!!! i could never make it without your wonderful support, constant reassurance and encouragement!!!!

and yes, we're gonna totally shake the despair out of us and start living life again!! there's a whole world waiting for us, Karen, to explore and enjoy it and we have lots of life left to do that!

and i want to add just one more important thing - the most important thing we will be so happy about is firt of all, when we're finally better, we will be SO happy to be able to just BE THERE for our families, spend quality time with them and be able to just do the simplest things together instead of spending all of our time in the loo.... now wouldn't that be the best thing that could ever happen for us and our families...?Hodaya

I was having a blong moment when I started this thread, because it was supposed to be in the Total Colectomy thread....I had just posted a long message, and wanted to add this, but accidentally hit new topic instead of reply. Yes, I am a blond! (bottled )

Pepperann, to answer your question I'm having a total colectomy for colon inertia.

Hodoya, I had both breasts removed and reconstructive surgery 10 years ago. I had LCIS, which is lobular carcinoma insitu, which means both breasts had cancer cells, but nothing had developed into actual cancer yet. It was a "wait and see" deal or have both breasts removed. At the time I had a 17 year old who had just lost his father, and I didn't want to take a chance of him losing me too if I could help it. After talked to two oncologists, I decided to have the surgery. I really didn't have a problem with it, and reconstruction was great.

I was half joking about being old! My mom will be 85 on Feb. 16 and she's still going strong....driving everywhere, walking alot, and all in all just great. It just seems like everytime I turn around there's something else wrong with me....I had a cystocele in October and had to have surgery, I started having acid problems a couple years ago and found out about the Barretts esophagus, and then last month my bone density showed osteoperosis! I blame the acid on menopause, the esophagus problems on acid, and the osteoperosis on menopause and the acid medications!! I'm a mees, although to look at me, I don't think anyone would have a clue I'm falling apart.

Anyway, yes, I'm so glad we all have each other. It will be a journey several of us will be taking around the same time, so that will be helpful to us all, I'm sure!!

Bless you Hodaya you are so sweet. Yes i do hope things turn out as you say. You are also a great source of support and encouragement.

Poor Janie you have been through so much. I hope we all get through this time and come out the other end 100% better. I know of about 3 people on here from summer 2008 as far as i can remember, who have not come back on to this site and the last i heard was them reporting a successful outcome, so that is encouraging. xxKaren 46 yrs

Janie, i'm so sorry, i didn't realize how much you've already been through, but you really sound like a wonderful strong woman. in spite of everything, you keep a good positive spirit and you don't let youself fall apart, so i really admire you for that!!Hodaya

Thanks for the kind words, and I really don't mean to sound like I'm whining. My problems have been minor compared to so many others; it's just that the last couple years it seems like one thing after another. All in all, I'm REALLY great, and feel well most of the time. I can just hear my grandma saying "Getting old ain't for sissies", and feeling like I'm starting to see what she meant!!

I'm going to be really positive about this surgery for all of us.....am looking forward to getting a date!!